Finnish police have launched a criminal investigation into suspected environmental law violations at a planned Google data center site in northern Finland. Authorities are examining whether Google's local subsidiary carried out preparatory work that affected the environment before legally required assessments were completed.
The investigation centers on a site near Muhos, where forest clearing and drainage work reportedly took place before environmental impact assessments were completed. The case adds regulatory pressure to Google's major investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure in Finland.
Police said preliminary information pointed to possible shortcomings in drainage and water management at the construction site operated by Tuike Finland, a subsidiary of Google's parent company, Alphabet.
Investigators will examine the circumstances surrounding the work and determine whether environmental laws were breached. The investigation remains ongoing, and no final conclusions about criminal liability have been announced.
The Finnish Supervisory Agency, which oversees environmental permits and assessments, ordered Google on October 6 to stop preparatory work that could alter the environment at the Muhos site and another planned data center location.
Finnish broadcaster Yle reported that authorities had also raised concerns about incomplete environmental assessments and whether the company's water management plans adequately addressed potential risks.
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Google has previously said it began preparatory work based on its understanding of the approvals required under Finnish law. The company did not immediately respond to Reuters' latest request for comment.
The investigation follows concerns about activities at the site, including forest clearance and changes to drainage systems. Authorities are examining whether these activities complied with the country's environmental requirements. The probe is expected to take time, with Finnish police indicating that the preliminary investigation could continue into 2027.
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The project forms part of Google's planned USD 15 billion investment in AI infrastructure in Finland, which the company has described as its largest investment in Europe. The investment includes data centers, electricity grid improvements and projects involving clean energy and batteries. These facilities are intended to support Google's services, including Gemini, Search, Maps and YouTube.
Finland has attracted major data center investments because of its cool climate, relatively low-carbon electricity and government support for technology infrastructure. However, the case highlights the environmental challenges associated with expanding data centers. While these facilities support growing demand for AI computing, their construction can affect forests, drainage systems and local water management.